Six INTO One

The consolidation of multiple ASTM structural bolt standards

will help simplify bolt specification.

BY CHAD LARSON AND THOMAS J. SCHLAFLY

WE ALL KNOW CONSTRUCTION CAN BE COMPLICATED.

Schedule complexity, environmental compliance, design challeng-
es and new technologies are just a few of the hurdles that exist beyond
the physical acts of designing and building structures. There is also
an enormous burden on producers, designers and users of construc-
tion materials to understand and comply with numerous standards.
The standards, codes and specifications required to bring a simple
project off the ground can number in the hundreds. As an industry
we need to identify when standards or processes have become unnec-
essarily complex and seek out ways to improve them.
The ASTM F16 fastener committee has identified an opportunity
to improve and simplify standards for structural bolts and has also
begun the process of reviewing other F16 standards for ways to im-
prove, simplify, combine or eliminate them if not in use.
The vast majority of fasteners in steel buildings, bridges and struc-
tures are produced to one of six ASTM fastener standards. Many pro-
visions in these standards vary by grade and type, but many other
provisions are similar or identical across all six standards.
In order to correct numerous problems with the existing stan-
dards, to simplify standards maintenance and to better meet the
needs of the steel construction industry, the ASTM F16 Fastener
Committee approved ASTM F3125, which replaces the six existing
standards. The new standard is the culmination of significant work
by the volunteer task group and the F16.02 subcommittee and was
made possible with the support of ASTM F16 executive leadership
and association representatives from AISC, the Research Council on
Structural Connections (RCSC) and the Federal Highway Adminis-
tration (FHWA).
With ASTM A325, A325M, A490, A490M, F1852 and F2280 now
combined under one parent document, the differences between grades
and types are more distinct, the similar provisions are better coordi-
nated and many technical improvements have been implemented.

Similar, Simpler Specification

ASTM F3125 provides new advantages for standards writers as well
as for designers and users, and specifying these bolts is nearly the same Chad Larson ([email protected]) is president of
as before: Simply indicate the grade (A325, A325M, A490, etc.) and type LeJeune Bolt Company as well as Producer Vice Chair of
(1 or 3/weathering). Some particular advantages to note are as follows: the ASTM F16 Fastener Committee and Chair of the F16.02
➤ An increase in minimum tensile strength, proof load and hardness Subcommittee on Bolts, Nuts and Washers. Tom Schlafly
of greater than 1-in.-diameter A325 and F1852 bolts, from 105 ksi ([email protected]) is AISC’s director of research.

 Modern STEEL CONSTRUCTION

 to 120 ksi. This change corrects the following inconsisten- ➤ Corrected dimensional references to recently approved
cies (note that this will also increase the pretension and slip ASME dimensional standards
resistance for large A325 and F1852 bolts): ➤ Correction of inconsistent heat treatment requirements and
The RCSC Specification purposely neglects the decrease language
from 120 ksi to 105 ksi ultimate tensile strength for ➤ Addition of elongation and reduction of area requirements
greater than 1-in.-diameter A325 and F1852 bolts when for twist off-type bolts
giving the permissible shear strength in Table 5.1, but ➤ Creation of a supplementary requirement for non-standard
recognizes the difference when it gives the minimum threads or dimensions
bolt pretension in Table 8.1. ➤ Addition of alloy steel with boron in A325, A325M and
The AISC Specification incorporates the difference in ul- F1852
timate tensile strength when calculating the minimum ➤ Modification and simplification of chemistry requirements
bolt pretension for larger diameter bolts in Tables J3.1 and tables
and J3.1M, but purposely neglects it when presenting the ➤ Addition of a “Type 3” chemistry based on the ASTM G101
permissible shear strength in Table J3.2. corrosion index
A325, A325M and F1852 tensile requirements are now Grades within ASTM F3125 will continue to be called what
aligned with A325M (A325M has the same tensile re- we are all familiar with. For example, an old ASTM A325 bolt
quirement regardless of diameter). will be designated as “Grade A325” and will simply reside with-
The AASHTO Specification defines design strengths in in the combined standard. Head markings will also remain the
terms of the bolt tensile strength, so bolt shear strength same. For example, an ASTM F3125 Gr A325 Type 3 bolt will
as well as slip critical strength will be higher for A325 and be marked A325, just like it was when it was supplied under
F1852 greater than 1 in. in diameter. ASTM A325.
➤ The addition of a more detailed and useful ASTM rotational In the future, the F16 committee will ballot removal of the
capacity test: six previous standards, removing the requirements of each but
The rotational capacity (RC) test is a common require- leaving a note that the standard has been superseded, sending
ment for bridge construction or when galvanized fasten- users instead to ASTM F3125.
ers are used, but is not used much in vertical construction
or other construction when using plain fasteners. The On the Ballot
test is meant ensure an assembly of a bolt, nut and washer This new standard is currently in the balloting process for
will work harmoniously when being fully tensioned by recognition in the 2016 AISC Specification for Structural Steel
the chosen tightening method. The test screens for ex- Buildings, and RCSC is in the process of considering revisions
cessively over-tapped nuts, bolt material with insufficient needed to adopt this standard. The ASTM F3125 standard is
ductility and to assess for proper lubrication. also being presented to AASHTO for possible consideration
There is confusion in the industry because suppliers and of the Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures in June 2016.
users have different RC tests to reference: an ASTM inch What does this mean for existing inventory, projects under-
series test, an ASTM metric series test an AASHTO test way and future projects? In short, not much will change. There
and a frequently called out, but no longer officially main- will be a difference in how the fasteners are called out, and in
tained, FHWA test. This new ASTM RC test is an at- some cases minor differences in technical requirements, but no
tempt to find common ground and allow the industry to changes that will result in the need for connection redesign or
consolidate on a single test method. Additionally, because immediate code changes. Users must simply understand that
of the tensile strength increase of grade A325, all the var- the old designations they are familiar with now reside under a
ious RC test methods will have to be revised. This test parent standard as a grade. They should be cognizant that older
method will be presented to other industry organizations inventories of greater than 1-in.-diameter ASTM A325 and
with the request to have it considered for use by them. F1852 bolts may be recertified to meet the new requirements
➤ Creation of a coatings Annex and nut over-tap guidance for of ASTM F3125 (specifically, the greater-than-1-in.-diameter
recently added fastener coatings: ASTM A325 and F1852 bolts). Those designing according to
The coatings Annex covers recently added coatings for AISC should consciously specify ASTM F3125 for A325 and
150 ksi fasteners and gives guidance on coating grade rec- F1852 sizes greater than 1 in. to ensure the ordered bolt meets
ommendations and nut over-tap guidelines. the assumption of design.
The new table based format will allow for future changes Other sizes and grades should be considered interchangeable
to be made in a much simpler way and will do a better job with the previous requirements of the older individual standards,
of presenting coating options to users. and users should understand that there are millions of bolts in in-
Other improvements of ASTM F3125 include: ventory to the previous standards that will be shipped alongside
➤ Reduction in the total page count from 45 pages down to 13 bolts produced to the new standard for years to come.
pages As with any new standard, there will be some early editorial
➤ Reduction of the number of tables from 54 tables down to and content changes that will need to address items that came
7 tables up in the balloting and publication process, along with items of
➤ Elimination of 32 cross references new business that were identified along the way. As a result, the
➤ More specific requirements for lot traceability document will continue to evolve and improve in the years to
➤ Sectional reordering and renaming for improved continuity come to better meet the needs of the industry.
from scope to packaging The new standard is available for purchase at www.astm.org/
➤ Layout changes using tables to more simply define requirements Standards/F3125.htm.  ■
NOVEMBER 2015